| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2025/08/092252 [Registered on: 04/08/2025] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
23/07/2025 |
| Post Graduate Thesis |
Yes |
| Type of Trial |
Interventional |
|
Type of Study
|
Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) |
| Study Design |
Other |
|
Public Title of Study
|
A Study to Compare the effects of Dry Cupping and Tissue flossing on pain, joint flexibility, and muscle function in people with muscle soreness after exercise. |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
Effectiveness Of Dry Cupping Vs Tissue Flossing On Pain, Joint Range Of Motion, And Muscle Activity In Recreational Athletes With Delayed Onset Of Muscle Soreness (DOMS): A Comparative Study. |
| Trial Acronym |
nil |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Rahul Chakraborty |
| Designation |
MPT(Sports) student |
| Affiliation |
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP) |
| Address |
Sports Physiotherapy Department,Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP)
Chandiwala Estate,Metro station, Maa Anandmai Marg,Near Govindpuri,Shyam Nagar, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi South 110019
South
DELHI
110019
India |
| Phone |
8595002772 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
rahul.chakraborty9909@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Dr CS Ram |
| Designation |
Director |
| Affiliation |
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP) |
| Address |
Sports Physiotherapy Department,Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP)
Chandiwala Estate,Metro station, Maa Anandmai Marg,Near Govindpuri,Shyam Nagar, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi South 110019
South
DELHI
110019
India |
| Phone |
9811297680 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
director@bcip.ac.in |
|
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
|
| Name |
Dr Sapna Yadav PT |
| Designation |
Assistant Professor |
| Affiliation |
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP) |
| Address |
Sports Physiotherapy Department,Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP)
Chandiwala Estate,Metro station, Maa Anandmai Marg,Near Govindpuri,Shyam Nagar, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi South 110019
South
DELHI
110019
India |
| Phone |
8368694445 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
sapna@bcip.ac.in |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
| BANARSIDAS CHANDIWALA INSTITUTE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY |
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Rahul Chakraborty |
| Address |
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP)
Chandiwala Estate, Maa Anandmai Marg, Kalkaji, New Delhi-110019
|
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [Self] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 1 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Rahul Chakraborty |
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP) |
Sports Physiotherapy Department,Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy (BCIP)
Chandiwala Estate,Metro station, Maa Anandmai Marg,Near Govindpuri,Shyam Nagar, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi South 110019
South
DELHI |
8595002772
rahul.chakraborty9909@gmail.com |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| The Institutional Ethical Committee of Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy(ICE-BCIP) |
Approved |
|
|
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI
|
|
|
Health Condition / Problems Studied
|
| Health Type |
Condition |
| Healthy Human Volunteers |
Recreational Athletes with Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness(DOMS) |
|
|
Intervention / Comparator Agent
|
| Type |
Name |
Details |
| Intervention |
Dry Cupping |
Cupping Group: Participants will receive cupping therapy on the calf muscles, using a standardized protocol.
o On a massage couch, participants will be placed in a prone position exposing their lower leg.
o To provide a lubricant for the cups to slide along, an oil-based substance will be given to the entire lower legs surface.
o the suction will be delivered using the hand pump to create a negative pressure in cups which are placed in 2x4 grid pattern in calf. Static and dynamic cupping technique application will be done.
o Treatment duration:15 mins
|
| Comparator Agent |
Tissue Flossing |
Tissue Flossing Group: Participants will receive tissue flossing on the calf muscle, using a standardized protocol.
o A latex tissue flossing band will be wrapped around calf in a 50% overlapping circumferential pattern (distal to proximal) as part of the intervention. The relative stretch of the band ranges from 50 to 90% of its maximum length.
o Following the application of the band, the patient will engage in a therapy session lasting up to eight minutes, during which they may move the wrapped body part in various active and passive ways.
|
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
18.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
25.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
Recreational college athletes (male and female ages 18-25)
Participants who engage in recreational athletic activities.
Participants experiencing DOMS in the calf muscles.
Have no prior experience with cupping or tissue flossing,
Willing to participate in the study.
|
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
Cupping or Tissue Flossing Contraindications: Participants with contraindications to cupping or tissue flossing, such as:14,15
Skin infections or open wounds
Recent scars or tattoos
Active bleeding or bleeding disorder
Individuals with systemic disorders such as neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory or psychological conditions.
Previous Experience: Participants who have previously received cupping or tissue flossing treatments for the same condition.
|
|
|
Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Coin toss, Lottery, toss of dice, shuffling cards etc |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Participant Blinded |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). |
Pre-Intervention outcome measures will be collected.
Post-Intervention Outcome measures will be collected after the intervention after 48 hours and 72 hours post-recreational sport activity.
|
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
Range of Motion Measured using a goniometer.
Muscle Activity Measured using electromyography (EMG).
|
Pre Intervention outcome measures will be collected.
Post-Intervention Outcome measures will be collected after the intervention after 48 hours & 72 hours post-recreational sport activity.
|
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="40"
Sample Size from India="40"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" |
|
Phase of Trial
|
N/A |
|
Date of First Enrollment (India)
|
12/08/2025 |
| Date of Study Completion (India) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
| Date of First Enrollment (Global) |
Date Missing |
| Date of Study Completion (Global) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
|
Estimated Duration of Trial
|
Years="0"
Months="6"
Days="0" |
|
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)
|
Not Applicable |
| Recruitment Status of Trial (India) |
Not Yet Recruiting |
|
Publication Details
|
N/A |
|
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement
|
Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?
Response - NO
|
|
Brief Summary
|
Cupping therapy and tissue flossing are increasingly used in sports rehabilitation for recovery and performance enhancement. Cupping, endorsed by athletes like Michael Phelps and Serena Williams, improves blood flow, reduces pain and fatigue, and promotes relaxation. It is low-cost, non-invasive, and beneficial for athletic recovery. Tissue flossing, a newer technique, involves wrapping elastic bands around joints or muscles to enhance blood flow, reduce tension, and improve range of motion. Both methods aim to support muscle recovery and overall athletic performance. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common experience among athletes and individuals engaging in intense physical activity, including those involved in recreational sports. It is characterized by muscle pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion (ROM), typically developing 24–72 hours post-exercise. DOMS can negatively affect sports performance, daily functioning, and may decrease motivation and participation in physical activities. Cupping therapy and tissue flossing are increasingly used in sports rehabilitation for recovery and performance enhancement. Cupping, endorsed by athletes like Michael Phelps and Serena Williams, improves blood flow, reduces pain and fatigue, and promotes relaxation. It is low-cost, non-invasive, and beneficial for athletic recovery. Tissue flossing, a newer technique, involves wrapping elastic bands around joints or muscles to enhance blood flow, reduce tension, and improve range of motion. Both methods aim to support muscle recovery and overall athletic performance. Despite the growing popularity of these techniques, there is limited research comparing their effects on DOMS, pain, ROM, and muscle activity in recreational athletes. Electromyography (EMG) provides a valuable tool for assessing muscle activity and function, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of these recovery techniques. This study aims to determine and compare the effectiveness of dry cupping vs tissue flossing on Pain, Joint Range of Motion, and Muscle Activity of calf muscles in Recreational Athletes with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Recreational athletes with DOMS will be included in study, will be divided in two groups Group A - will receive cupping therapy. Group B - will receive tissue flossing. · Pre-Intervention: outcome measures will be collected, using VAS, EMG for pain, range of motion and muscle activity in athletes with DOMS. · Post-Intervention: Outcome measures will be collected after the intervention after 48 hours and 72 hours post-recreational sport activity, using VAS, EMG for the same. Data will be analyzed and result will be interpreted. |